What resources does Apple offer for individuals with disabilities, rehabilitation professionals, and special education teachers?
This article describes Apple's disability-related information resources (managed by Apple's Worldwide Disability Solutions Group), as well as related assistive technology organizations.
Apple Computers Disability Resources
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Since 1985, when we created the industry's first Disability Solutions Group, Apple Computer has been at the forefront of making computer technology that meets the special needs of children and adults with disabilities around the globe. It is our belief that computers do not just make people more productive, but that they have an almost magical way of increasing an individual's independence. Self-expression. Participation. Choices. And self-esteem.
That's why our goal is, just as it was 10 years ago, to change the experience of disability in positive, constructive, and--where appropriate--dramatic ways.
Toward that end, we pay special attention to the design of our own products to ensure that they are fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. And we work with numerous Macintosh developers who offer a rich selection of add-on accessibility products for our computers.
Apple provides a series of disability-related information resources that are available to you. Chief among them is an information packet containing a comprehensive database of access products called the Mac Access Passport (MAP). This information is available free-of-charge by calling 800-600-7808 (voice), or 800-755-0601 (TTY).
Four short videotapes are also available through Apple's StartingLine; catalog at 800-825-2145 ($8/ea.; please refer to the Part# when ordering). The videotapes are:
Access
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See how the lives of four people with disability have been transformed by Apple technology. 10 min. Part#APL829.
Chapter One
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Explore ways that future technologies might enable people with disabilities. 10 min. Part#APL830.
Curb Cuts
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Television personality Harry Anderson shows you what makes Macintosh the most accessible computer. 8 min. Part#APL831.
Independence Day
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See how the Macintosh helps individuals with physical and learning disabilities improve the quality of their daily lives. 10 min. Part#APL832.
Finally, to receive printed information about Apple products and services, we encourage you to use our toll-free, automated fax system, AppleFAX, by calling 800-462-4396. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (you must have a fax machine to use this service).
If you have any questions, comments, or thoughts that you would like to bring to our attention, you can contact us at any time at the following address:
Apple Computer, Inc.
One Infinite Loop, M/S 38-DS
Cupertino, CA 95014
800-600-7808 - voice
800-755-0601 - TTY
Apple's Disability Resources Online
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Imagine a place where the post office never closes. Where the library contains vast amounts of information-all at your fingertips. A place where discussions--small and large--are held around the clock. A place in which to hang out with old friends... and to make new ones. Imagine a place without boundaries. Imagine a place without tired stereotypes.
Apple Computer participates on several online information services in order to disseminate information and promote discussion about Macintosh assistive technology. While every online service has its own character and approach to disability content, one thing is consistent among the services listed below: they all offer the most current information from Apple Computer about Macintosh disability solutions.
Internet
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Apple Computer's site on the World Wide Web is one of the most popular areas on the Internet. Available resources include information about all of Apple products and services, technical support, and extensive Macintosh and Newton software libraries. The central Apple Web site also contains information about Macintosh disability solutions, including the most uptodate version of the Macintosh Disability Resources database.
Path: To reach the main Apple Home Page, point your Web browser to:
For more information about Apple's presence on the Internet, email:
webmaster@apple.com
Other Online Services
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In addition to the services listed above, Apple Computer occasionally distributes important information about Macintosh assistive technology on a variety of other online forums, including: America Online (disAbilities forum); Internet Newsgroups (misc.handicap and alt.education.disabled); CompuServe (Disabilities+ forum); Prodigy (Health forum); and GTE's SpecialNet (assistive.devices bulletin board).
Assistive Technology Resources
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We highly recommend that you contact the following organizations for additional information about technology for individuals with disability.
Alliance for Technology Access
2173 East Francisco Blvd., Ste. L
San Rafael, CA 94901
415-455-4575
The Alliance for Technology Access is a national network of non-profit resource centers that provide information and consultation about computer use by children and adults with disabilities.
Closing the Gap
P.O. Box 68
Henderson, MN 56044
612-248-3294
Closing the Gap publishes a bi-monthly newsletter and conducts an annual conference each October focusing on the use of computer technology by and for individuals with special needs.
HEATH Resource Center
1 Dupont Cir., NW, Ste. 800
Washington, DC 20036
800-544-3284
The HEATH Resource Center is a national clearinghouse for information about assistive technology, offering material to consumers, organizations, and universities.
Trace R&D Center
S-151 Waisman Center
1500 Highland Ave.
Madison, WI 52705
608-262-6966
The Trace R&D Center is a leading research and development site specializing in rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology tools. Trace publishes a comprehensive resource book of accessibility products.